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The Forests &
Wildlands of Maryland
Summary:
The Sierra Club's official policy is to stop ALL commercial logging on public
lands,
including state forests and parks.
Story:
Maryland is home to several state forests: In Western Maryland we have
Potomac/Garrett, Savage River, and Green Ridge State Forests. In Southern
Maryland we have Cedarville State Forest. On the Eastern Shore lies Pocomoke
State
Forest. These places, along with 36 state parks, contain numerous species
of plants,
animals and insects. They belong to all of Maryland's citizens; hiking,
cycling, bird
watching, hunting, fishing, and ecological studies are just a few of the
activities that
can be found on these public lands.
However, our public lands are operated WITHOUT these activities in mind.
Our state
forests managers do not care about hiking trails and old growth forests
as much as they
care about logging. Our State Parks are being developed with golf courses
and paved bike paths.
What you can do:
1) Get out and enjoy these places. Learn more about them. Take outings
with Sierra
Club Members.
2) Call or write the governor and your representative in the Maryland General
Assembly.
Tell them that Maryland's State Forests and State Parks must keep ALL of
Maryland's
citizens in mind. All actions by the state should encourage full public
participation. Also,
and most important, the managers of these state lands should operate them
with all
activities in mind. State Forests should hold hiking trails and handicap
access above
timber sales.
Resources:
Sierra Club's Forest Website
Southern Appalachian
Highlands Ecoregion Taskforce
U.S. Forest Service's Roadless Forest
Website - Great info on the inventoried roadless
areas in America's National Forests.
Heritage Forests Campaign
Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
Dogwood Alliance
Heartwood
American Lands Alliance
Maryland Forests Assocation - A
pro-timber organization.
Contacts:
Mark Diehl, Conservation Chair
Western Maryland Group
301-724-6238
mad55@mindspring.com
Dan Boone, Chair
Conservation Committee of the Maryland Chapter
301-464-5199
birdandbat@yahoo.com
Bob DeGroot, Chair
Forest Committee of the Maryland Chapter
Co-delegate to SAHE
301-340-8348
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